Advocacy Alert: Safe Child Care

PHONE CALLS NEEDED TODAY: OHIO FAMILIES NEED HIGH QUALITY & SAFE CHILD CARE

A Conference Committee (consisting of three House Representatives and three Senators) has begun the grueling task of reconciling the House and Senate versions of the state budget.  Last week the Administration announced revenue shortfalls that will require the Conference Committee to cut an additional $2.3 billion from the Senate version of the budget.  All early care and education programs funded by general revenue funds are at risk of major cuts or elimination. 

The following public officials have tremendous influence on Conference Committee decisions.  They must hear from as many constituents as possible.  Please call the following offices as soon as possible and ask them not to cut early care and education programs:

Janetta King (Governor’s Office)       466-3555
Senator Bill Harris                             466-8086
Representative Armond Budish        466-5441


At the bottom is a sample telephone script for personal calls.

You may also click onto the following link and send an automated email to Franklin County Senators:

http://www.groundworkohio.org/getinvolved/contactrep.cfm

Thank you so much for helping make an impact through public policy.


Valerie Ridgeway
Public Policy Director



Sample Phone Script

 

Hello. My name is _________________. I’m calling to ask you to preserve funding for early care and education programs.

Many of Ohio’s high-poverty districts depend on public preschool to help prepare our most at-risk children to enter school ready to learn; thereby avoiding higher costs down the road for special education, grade retention, and other remediation.

Forty percent of our children enter kindergarten without the skills needed to succeed - skills such as the ability to recognize their letters, count to 20 or write their names. Without these skills, children enter kindergarten at a disadvantage they’re unlikely to overcome in subsequent years.

Research confirms that preschool-age years are critical for cognitive and social development, laying a foundation for success in primary and secondary school, college, work and life.

Please protect Ohio’s early care and education system. In tough economic times we need to fund what works. High quality and accessible child care works. Thank you.